To obtain an authorization file

Each machine running the ArcGIS Server Object Container requires an ArcGIS authorization file. There are several ways to authorize ArcGIS Server. You can visit http://service.esri.com to obtain an authorization file (by e-mail, fax, phone, or mail) before installing ArcGIS Server. You can also authorize ArcGIS Server using the setup program. See the Authorizing ArcGIS Server section of Performing a typical installation for more information. The authorization tool can also be launched using the authorization script from <ArcGIS Server installation location>/scripts/authorizeSoftware.

Authorization requires the authorization numbers (similar in format to ABC123456789) provided by Customer Service. Visit http://service.esri.com for more information.

Each new version of ArcGIS Server requires a new authorization file.